The lawsuit papers against Cristiano Oliveira and the Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu company said Oliveira began grooming this young girl for his sexual pleasure. He also made unwanted advances toward the minor through facebook(sic). Sandlin said the young girl had to receive mental health counseling for (Oliveira’s) inappropriate conduct.

The lawyer said he’s given the company plenty of notice about Oliveira’s behaviors.

Flavio Almeida, executive director, responded to that statement in a telephone conversation with reporter Laura Murray:

“We never were served any papers. We never received any emails, never received any communication, no verbal about this specific lawsuit, and if we had we would have taken action immediately.”